'Trick or Pet Treat' this Halloween & collect for animals at the GSPCA & safety tips

Every year many children with parents or guardians head out at Halloween on the 31st October dressed up to celebrate the American tradition of 'Trick or Treat'.

With the growing concern of the consumption of sweets and sugar why not this Halloween raise funds for charity.

With the dark evenings it is important to ensure you follow some simple safety hints and tips, but this year could your Halloween night out help benefit the hundreds of animals in need in Guernsey. 

At the GSPCA we currently have over 300 animals in our care and over 3000 are rescued, cared for and rehomed by the GSPCA every year.

When out 'Trick or Treating' why not instead this year say 'Trick or Pet Treat' and maybe add 'to help animals at the GSPCA'.

Whether donations of change, animal feed or even actual 'Pet Treats' every penny helps make a difference.

If you have a bucket to take out why not click here to download a label to stick to it to help advertise your collection http://gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Trick%20or%20Pet%20treat.pdf. 

Not everyone celebrates the Halloween tradition and it is important to please keep this in mind and respect the wishes of those who decline, but for those that join in and support your collection please do celebrate and thank them for their generosity.

If you haven't got children or would rather not have them go out could your work place, group or school hold a 'Trick or Pet Treat' mufti day or event to help raise funds for animals at the Shelter?

Halloween Safety Tips for Trick or Treating

• Children should always go out trick or treating accompanied by a responsible adult. 
• If you have a group of kids going, the parents should choose two or three of them to go along and keep an eye on things. 
• It is always best to keep to early evening to avoid upsetting homes where the residents may plan an early night due reasons such as their health or young children.
• Plan a safe route so parents know where their older kids will be at all times. 
• Set a time for their return home. 
• Make sure that your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out by themselves (any doubts please ensure an adult is present and accompanies them). 
• Make sure that they have a mobile phone.
• Let your children know not to cut through back lanes and fields if they are out alone. 
• Make sure they know to stay in populated areas and not to go off the beaten track. 
• Let them know to stay in well lighted areas with lots of people around. Explain to them why it can be dangerous for kids not to do this. 
• If they are going out alone, they are old enough to know what can happen to them in a bad situation and how to stop it from happening. 
• Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you. This way you can check for any problem candy and get the pick of the best stuff!
• Instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. Explain why this is not a good idea and what to do if someone approaches them and tries to talk to them.
• Make sure your child carries a torch, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.
• Let them know that they should stay together as a group if going out to Trick or Treat without an adult.
• Explain that not everyone celebrates Halloween and if they decline to donate or give then that is the persons choice and should be respected politely.
• Some home owners will have animals and pets themselves and to take care when approaching or leaving a property.  It is extremely important that where gates are present they are closed after use.
• REMEMBER good hygiene and all the States of Guernsey advice in regards keeping you and your children safe from Covid-19 https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance

At the GSPCA we want all animals and people to have a fun and safe Halloween and for those looking to support us this Sunday thank you so much as we and the animals really appreciate it.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said "This Halloween could you do something a little different to help animals in Guernsey?"

"Instead of 'Trick or Treat' could you say 'Trick or Pet Treat' to help raise funds for animals in Guernsey."

"Many of us as parents are concerned with the amount of sugar our children eat and many children love animals and helping them so why not combine the two this Halloween."

"We want to ensure those going out are safe whether helping collect for the GSPCA or for themselves so we have popped a few safety tips online to keep in mind before heading out."

"Thank you to all that choose to help us and the animals in our care this Halloween."

If you would like a copy of the 'Trick or Pet Treat' poster please call 01481 257261, pop into the Shelter or email [email protected]

Thank you for your support.

Donate

Donate by calling  01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal

Puffin Parade

In 2023 we are running a Puffin Parade and to sponsor a 4 foot puffin with the GSPCA and Autism Guernsey go to - https://puffinparade.org.gg/

Sponsored Event

Why not create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)

For lots more ideas why not visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising

Wish List

Check out our wish list page from the smallest of items to our biggest of projects there are many ways to support us - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list

To visit our Amazon Wish list to see some of the items we need to help the wildlife please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList

GSPCA Wildlife Hospital Appeal

To make a direct donation please visit - https://giving.gg/donate/event/4618/Please-Support-the-GSPCA-Wildlife-Hospital-Appeal

To Buy a Brick in the new Wildlife Hospital and download a leaflet please click here - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Buy%20a%20Brick%20Wildlife%20Hospital.pdf

Larger donors or corporates may want to make a larger donation and become an Exclusive Build Partner and to find out more please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-exclusive-build-partner

Legacies & Bequests

By leaving a gift to the GSPCA in your Will really helps us to improve the lives of animals into the future.  After providing for those you care for, please consider leaving a proportion of what remains to the GSPCA it is so appreciated and makes a real lasting legacy.

A gift like this to the GSPCA ensures our animals and those in Guernsey will always have someone to keep them safe. To find out more please http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding 

Gift Aid on Donations over £500

To find out about the States of Guernsey tax relief information on gift aid up to 2020 on donations totalling between £500 and £5000 please see the details by going to https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2617&p=0

2021 gift aid is from £500 and up to £7500 and here are the details - https://www.gov.gg/article/151830/Income-tax-relief

To download the form to claim for 2020 or before please follow this link https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1994&p=0

Become a sponsor and GSPCA member

Why become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and support our work each month please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf

To become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf  

Share our posts and follow us on social media

Many of you will have seen us on social media and your support liking and sharing our posts is really appreciated, and to visit our social media pages please go to

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GuernseySPCA

Twitter https://twitter.com/GSPCA

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gspca-guernsey-965b0751/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gspca_guernsey/

Subscribe to our Supporters Newsletter

To subscribe to our supporters newsletter and find out about upcoming events and news please go to https://us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9324335c87c8b3ec9f0016f2a&id=e61c951a08

In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if have any symptoms of Coronavirus and we continue visits to the Shelter for only essential reasons and to please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip to see if we can help without you coming to the Shelter. For the latest information and advice please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/coronavirus

With huge challenges on our resources and a drop in income from boarding and donations please help us help animals in Guernsey with our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal

Below are our usual opening times but with the current challenges due to covid these are occasionally adjusted to ensure we provide the best of care for the animals and those needing our 24/7 help, in an emergency please call 01481 257261

Upcoming Events we are at and need your help -

Beau Cinema Event Sunday 30^th October – https://www.guernseytickets.gg/?fbclid=IwAR0MR32dSzZU34tN_zUv5IWt3pow16s0UAeRhgYLlc-yPtALLfo3TZycv5A

Dog First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Wednesday 9th November 2022 - Ref - Dog 9/11 - https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

Volunteer Induction Evening 630pm Wednesday 23^rd November 2022 https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers

Cat First Aid 6.30pm - 8.45pm Wednesday 30th November 2022 - Ref – Cat30/11 - https://www.gspca.org.gg/services/training-courses

2023 GSPCA and Autism Guernsey have the Puffin Parade - https://puffinparade.org.gg/